1970s Horror Movie Was Named the Best of All Time Still Defines a Generation

The 1970s gave the world several of the most beloved scary movies ever released, including Halloween, Alien, Jaws, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and Carrie. While those films are considered classics, many fans believe that one film stands out above the rest. The Exorcist has been named the best horror movie ever made, and it still defines the era's legacy decades later.

The List That Named ‘The Exorcist’ the Best Horror Movie of All Time

In October 2022, Rolling Stone published its list of the "101 Best Horror Movies of All Time." The respected outlet named 1973's The Exorcist at the top of its ranking. While explaining its choice, it praised how director William Friedkin draws viewers in, the sudden terror of many scenes, and how well the effects still hold up. It also noted that the film's main priest character, Damien Karras, is initially skeptical of the existence of demons. That allows viewers to take the journey with him as the events of the film force him to believe.

The part of Rolling Stone's explanation that stood out the most is when the outlet pointed to how viewers initially reacted to the film. It cited reports of "moviegoers fainting, vomiting, and fleeing theaters." The outlet also referenced a 1974 The New York Times article that documented a spike in lapsed Catholics returning to the church after seeing The Exorcist.

Rolling Stone's Top 20 Horror Movies of All Time:

• 20. Dracula (1931)
• 19. The Wicker Man (1973)
• 18. Kwaidan (1964)
• 17. Nosferatu (1922)
• 16. The Devil Rides Out (1968)
• 15. The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
• 14. An American Werewolf in London (1981)
• 13. Rosemary's Baby (1968)
• 12. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
• 11. The Shining (1980)
• 10. Hereditary (2018)
• 9. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
• 8. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
• 7. Get Out (2017)
• 6. Inside (2007)
• 5. Halloween (1978)
• 4. Don't Look Now (1973)
• 3. The Ring (1998)
• 2. Psycho (1960)
• 1. The Exorcist (1973)

Why 'The Exorcist' Defines a Generation of Horror Movies

Over the years, many outlets have put together lists of the best horror movies in history. It is so common for websites, like Rotten Tomatoes and Collider, to name The Exorcist as the top choice that many fans almost expect most lists to rank it number one. The fact that the film has been given that recognition so many times proves that it has long defined what a scary movie is.

Beyond any lists, The Exorcist shows exactly what makes horror movies from the 1970s still so powerful today. The film is a case study in the power of methodical and patient storytelling. Instead of rushing to the scares, it takes time to ground viewers in the world of the characters first, making the shocks much more effective. The masterful practical effects are also the best that the era had to offer, as they look very convincing, and viewers can feel that they were present on set. These are only some examples of what makes The Exorcist the ultimate example of 1970s horror.